Top Five “Must Haves” for Hip Labral Surgery (plus 2 bonus tips)

Top Five “Must Haves” for Hip Labral Surgery

Recently a question about hip labral surgery needs was asked on a closed Facebook page I administer. I am both a “hippie” (aka hip labral injury) PT and a patient; and as a result, I hear this question often and see it equally as much on Facebook support group pages for hip labral injury. However, since my own surgery, I realized I have yet to answer the question publically.

So today I am finally going to answer the question of “must haves” for hip labral surgical recovery. I also apologize in advance for the long post, but hip preservation surgery is no joke. It deserves careful attention and planning in order to optimize your recovery.

Question: For all those that have had hip labral surgery, if you could recommend anything that is a “MUST HAVE” for recovery I would truly appreciate it I am keeping a list and just want to be prepared. Thank you kindly!!!

Answer: A person could easily draft a dissertation on this topic; however, we don’t have that much space in a blog post! So, let me give you the short story.

Here are the Top Five “Must Haves” After Hip Labral Surgery:

Support. Support. Support. My in-laws literally moved in with me, my husband, and our three young children for a month after my surgery. I cannot emphasize how much this SAVED. MY. LIFE. Cooking, cleaning, maintaining my business while I was on sabbatical, fielding and feeding children, packing school lunches, and arranging the shuttle schedule for school alone (I have a preschooler and 2 elementary-aged school boys) is enough to drive anyone mad. And although my husband is a stellar chef in his own right, there was no way he could do even just the cooking by himself PLUS take care of me (remember you can’t even put on your own sock or go to the bathroom by yourself for quite a while) while ALSO holding down his own jobs (he has two). So my wonderful in-laws swooped in and saved the day.
After my wonderful, amazing in-laws returned home to their lives, we still had help for several weeks with meals and my transportation to and from physical therapy, arranged by lovely friends and church family. And for several months after, I still needed help negotiating everyday tasks – so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

A comfortable place to convalesce. You are going to spend the first three weeks, give or take, in a mostly horizontal position. You don’t want to create contractures in the psoas, nor irritate the repair, so make sure you create a “nerve center” of sorts, which was the name I gave to the place where I spent my post-operative days with all my post-surgical “toys.”
For starters, your nerve center will require a wedge that allows you to lie at an incline (laying flat all day doesn’t cut it, especially when I still had to “show up” to my virtual office at work even during the first week of recovery) and lots of extra pillows. Also, a lighter weighted blanket is helpful because you are quite unable to negotiate bed transfers very easily. I ended up using multiple sofa throws because the duvet and cover on my bed was way too heavy and bulky for my new hip to handle.

Post-operative Toys. Speaking of “post-operative toys,” some of the necessary equipment you may need or be issued upon discharge from the hospital can include:

Raised toilet seat. I was not issued one of these, but the hubby ran out and borrowed one as soon as he realized how laborious (and painful) it was for me just to negotiate the bathroom.

Reacher. You can pick one of these up at any drugstore or home health supply store for less than $20. I can’t tell you how many times I dropped something in those first 8 weeks post-op, and let me tell you, once the “thing” you drop is on the floor, it is in “never-never land.” The reacher is a small life saver, so pick one up.

Back scratcher – This little gem is just as handy as the reacher. No explanation necessary.

Walker. Now, before you pffft in disbelief, let me first say this: Not everyone will need a walker. Most of us “hippies” (as hip preservation patients call themselves) will be cool as cucumbers on crutches. However, I wasn’t one of those cool cukes. I set aside my pride and grabbed a walker (something else my hubby ran out and borrowed without me even asking, again, because he saw how much I was struggling with dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, and pain) within hours of returning home.
Post-operative pain widely, WIDELY varies. And, pre-operative disabilities, such as chronic tendinopathies or muscle tears, can make ambulating with crutches very difficult and can even aggravate pre-surgical injuries.
The take home message: I invite you to set aside your pride too; and be prepared to pick up a walker if crutch ambulation proves too painful or too dangerous (e.g. if you are dizzy or lightheaded, you do not want to risk a fall).
Another handy use for a walker is carrying all your stuff around. Just add a little saddle bag or pouch onto your walker and voila’, you don’t have to keep asking for helpl! You can’t carry stuff while on crutches without a backpack, which is a no-no in early post-op. Also, if you are fatigued at the end of the day or out of kilter (read: stiff or achy) first thing in the morning. Crutches require excellent balance and medications, AM stiffness, or fatigue can increase risk of falls. A walker can actually give you more independence with completing activities of daily living (ADL’s).
Note: Once you progress to crutch use comfortably, you will need to consider step down assistive devices, such as a quad cane or straight cane. Your PT will determine when you can graduate to lighter use assistive devices.

Ice machine. There, I’ve said it. Yes, you absolutely need an ice machine, not just those ice pack thingies. Compression and moist cold, combined with elevation, is a huge life-saver that improves post-operative healing. Lingering edema (swelling) can also cause pain and prolong rehabilitation. Game Ready is a great brand, but don’t expect your insurance company to cough up the dough for it. (And for the record I have NO financial affiliation or benefit for plugging Game Ready in this blog.) Let me just say this, here’s how important ice, compression, and elevation are: As a hippie PT and patient, I don’t regret having paid out of pocket for the 4 week rental. It is totally worth it and made a substantial difference in my early recovery, pain and edema management.

CPM unit. Well, this is controversial, but let me give you my 2 cents worth on it. If you have pre-existing injury secondary to the hip labral injury, such as psoas tendinopathy for example, the CPM can passively move your leg while allowing those chronic pre-surgical injuries to heal. This is versus the upright bike without resistance (which is typically prescribed in place of the CPM), which can still irritate the psoas.
What’s more is surgeons typically do not want you stressing the psoas (one of the flexors of the hip that help you walk and bring your knee into your chest) during the weeks immediately following surgery – for many reasons of which constitute a whole other blog post. The bottom line: A CPM can help take the stress off of the anterior (front) of the joint and psoas while restoring vital early ROM back in the hip. This little detail is critical for optimal healing. Again, your insurance company may not pay for your CPM unit. What’s my take? I had a CPM unit and as a PT, I think it was critical to getting early painfree range of motion again and provision of biofeedback to the psoas.

Anti-internal rotation pillow. Now, I didn’t have an anti-rotation pillow, but I had a cheap solution for one. I kept my hip in neutral and stable by placing extra firm couch pillows or a throw on either side of my foot and lower leg (or rather I had someone else do it, since I couldn’t reach my foot). Problem solved. The purpose is to prevent your leg from passively (and chronically) falling into a position (internal or external rotation) which would either a) stress the new labral repair or b) cause adhesions and range of motion limitations once therapy begins.

Brace. This is another controversial post-op toy, but I can make a professional argument for its necessity, especially for patients who are at high risk for reinjury, falls, and/or may have low proprioceptive abilities. I had a brace, and I can say it was my best friend for quite a while.

Pain medications (and anti-inflammatories, possibly anti-clotting, anti-spasmodic, or other prophylactic medications). Yes, you are going to need them, and this is coming from a PT who shuns all medications whenever humanly possible. However, there is no way you can power through major surgery, and let’s call a spade a spade – you can’t power through HIP RECONSTRUCTION, without taking the medications your surgeon prescribes. There are very few surgeons who specialize in hip preservation surgery, so listen to them when they recommend certain meds. The meds are there for a reason, from everything to protecting your stomach lining to preventing post-surgical periosteal complications from arthroplasty to preventing blood clots and general harmful inflammation.

Other miscellaneous but useful items. Consider the typical side effects of major surgery: you can’t move easily, you may feel nauseated, dizzy, light-headed, and yes, constipated.
You won’t be able to move around very easily, if at all, in the first few days to weeks. A good sturdy breakfast tray, a constant stash of saltines and ginger beer (non-alcoholic yes) for that early post-surgical nausea that can linger for days, and all the trappings of a “nerve center,” such as cell phone and charger, laptop, books (and more books!), movies, etc, are a must. Constipation can also be a common and very uncomfortable situation for most folks who undergo this, or any type of, major surgery. Hydration, acupressure points for digestive motility, and abdominal self-massage, not to mention supplements like fiber or magnesium, should be mainstays alongside a plant-based diet high in fiber and protein and low in simply carbohydrates.

Okay, so now I’m cheating, but I can’t close the post without giving you just two more tips.

TWO BONUS TIPS:

Find your Center. “Huh?!?”, you may say – “What’s my center?” Your center is where the real YOU can be found. Meditation, prayer, deep breathing, and/or journaling are all ways to discover the real you, the happiest you, the you that you were meant to be.
Surgery (especially surgery as big as hip reconstruction) is a major life-altering event that provides a perfect opportunity to go inside and rediscover that spark for living, creativity, and love.
Living your best life starts by reflecting on how you got to the place you are now, and what you will do to ensure you can and will give your hip (and your self!) the best shot at longevity, optimal health, and happiness.
As your acute pain diminishes and your need for pain medications wanes, take advantage of the time that solitude and respite affords you.

Get and Stay in Physical Therapy for the Long Haul. The last and most important “absolute” that you will need is physical therapy. Get in the game and stay there until you finish it. Don’t quit early.
It takes a solid four months of PT, 2-3 times a week, plus doing your prescribed home physical therapy EVERY DAY, to fully recover. I know, I am living it. I see and budget seeing 2 PT’s, 3 times weekly, in addition to my own PT.
And even after formal PT is finished, continue your prescribed home program and check in with your PT periodically to progress your program. The longevity of your hip depends on it. Also, allow yourself a full year before you can expect to feel “yourself” again.

Good luck and best wishes on your journey for a successful surgery and return to the life you want and deserve. And if I can give you a parting tip – Remember, stay positive, because your body hears (and responds to) everything your mind says.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Great article, Ginger! Awesome and so helpful for me to read now before my next hip surgery on the 29th.

I bought a seat cushion (Forever Comfy $20) instead of a medical hip cushion and it really came in handy to make sure that seats were comfortable and that the hip stayed higher than the knees. I used that in my wheelchair, in the car, at home, and on the plane when traveling back. I would place a plastic bag on top of the cushion to aid with transfering in and out of the car, to make sure I was maintaining proper alignment and form. Speaking of things that reduce friction…satin bed sheets + satin pajama pants make getting in and out of bed much easier.

I purchased Mobileg Ultra crutches since I knew I would be on a walker/crutches for a month and it was the best $99 I’ve ever spent, and insurance reimbursed me $68 with a script from my surgeon. The Mobileg crutches have ergonomic handles and I never had pain in the axillary area from them.

I did use a walker from time to time and purchased an attachable tray table to it which really came in handy to carry items around with me – books, food, drinks, etc.

If anyone is feeling nervous or anxious before surgery, I highly recommend the book “Prepare For Surgery, Heal Faster” by Peggy Huddleston, which comes with a fantastic guided imagery CD to listen to before, during, and after surgery. I loved it and really think it helped me a ton.

Awesome suggestions Ginger! And I can say from experience that you are spot on after I have been helping my son recover from hip surgery. We also bought Mobilegs crutches – off of Amazon. They are awesome! A shower seat was helpful in the shower as well as a non-slip tub mat. He used all the seat cushions on our hard chairs, so that does help. Patience is SO important. Not only for the caregiver but for the patient of course. His surgeon has a very very conservative protocol. This is very hard for an athlete and recent college graduate to do. However, if you hear the horror stories from the therapists and the doctor of progressing too fast then it makes you want to listen and cooperate! At six weeks post-op, he has no hip pain,…is walking WBAT crutches, and is driving on his own. So far so good!

The only thing I would add is remove all area or throw rugs to avoid slipping. Also if you have a multilevel home initially relocate to one floor . Bathing and dressing equipment like a sock aid, a dressing stick a long handle bath sponge allow independence within hip restrictions. Also a subscription to a streaming service like net flick or equivalent as reading on pain meds can be difficult. Also if no local support their is an online caring services called “helping hands” where you or an administrator can set it up so folks sign up to help you in ways that you need. And all surgery once decided on still has surprises so you learn to “go with the flow”. You can plan up to a certain point and then the universe does take over!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to chime in on this post Shari! Those facing surgery of this caliber need all the support they can get – and having a concise list like this is invaluable. Thank you for adding to the post!

Thanks Liz! My insurance actually paid for the brace (there’s some decent things left about insurance coverage). It’s a Breg T Scope: http://www.breg.com/products/hip-bracing/t-scope-hip-brace
It worked well – protected the hip during precautions and prevented me from real pain and injury during a stairs fall and losing my balance on uneven terrain, early on in the post-op period. I highly recommend it as a great safety net.

Hi Ginger-
I am in need of this surgery for both of my hips in the future. I was told by one person that had it done, that labral repair surgery was only good for about 3 years. Do you have any idea if this is true? I can’t find the answer I need on the Internet and I need to lose weight before my doctor will do the surgery so I have not had the opportunity to ask him.
Your advice was exceptional and I thank you in advance for any help.

Hello Lori,
No, there is no indication in scientific literature that hip labral repair is “only good for 3 years.” So no worries there. Good luck with your future surgery, and yes, weight loss will do a great deal to help preserve the hip and make the surgery a long-range success. Thank you for taking the time to comment Lori, and I hope this helps –

I recently had the misfortune of having to under a pretty intense hip replacement. I had to undergo some reconstructive surgery in order to correct a severe trauma. The whole process leading up to the surgery was traumatic for obvious reasons. I don’t want to go into too much detail but during my surgery, my team used a FAW blanket called the Bair Hugger and it helped so much with my post surgical recovery. I was able to get back to yoga very quickly. I credit my super quick recovery to the blanket. Here are some facts about the system http://www.fawfacts.com

I am sorry to hear about your trauma – but I hope that your new hip replacement is working out well for you! Thank you for taking the time to stop in to my blog – and for taking the time to comment. The system you mentioned sounds intriguing – and as you may or may not know, I also had reconstructive surgery – and one of the biggest problems I had with pain was driven by cold. Too much cold and inadequate core temperature maintenance during and after surgery. So I am interested to hear more about this system. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks Ginger for writing this article and the other ones I have not read yet. I had an injury at work
and I have a hip labral tear. I also have scoliosis and have part of my back fused. I know it can take a lot
out of a person. Hope we can connect here. Thanks for all your encouragement.

I am so glad I can be of help Glenda! Absolutely we can connect here. I always personally reply to all comments – and answer each one with care. Blessing to you in your healing journey and recovery. You CAN do it!

Ginger, Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m getting ready for a hip osteotomy and labral reconstruction. I’m confident, but also nervous about expectations during the recovery. Since I don’t live near a major city, It helps me to have an idea of what to expect and be as prepared as possible, knowing not everything can be planned.Thanks again for some insight!

You are MOST welcome Charlotte! Don’t hesitate to visit the site again if you have questions. I am constantly writing more posts about post operative rehabilitation and conservative care! Thanks again for stopping in and reading AND for taking the time to comment. I am glad this post helped. Do spread the word to others who may need assist as well! Thank you –

Try to take some long exhales and trust in the fact that you are ready for surgery and that the surgeon will do a fantastic job! Trust me I know how you feel! Breathing deeply (see some of my free iTunes podcasts to practice!) To answer your question, I would recommend some kind of recliner or chaise lounger to spend lots of your time on the first month or so. Sitting is detrimental to your repair in the first few weeks to a month, and it is also uncomfortable due to swelling, incisions, etc. Great question! Don’t hesitate to ask more if you have them. You know where to find me! 🙂 Best of luck to you, practice your breathing (it helps with pain control and healing!), and I’ll “see” you on the other side! ~ Ginger

I am having arthroscopic hip surgery to remove several bursa, “clean out my labrum”, and shave the bones where there is impingement. I was told I would be on crutches 4 weeks, couldn’t squat 12, and total recovery will be 6 months. My surgery is June 26 and I need to be ready and back to teaching 20 preschoolers first of September. Will I be functional to do my job?
I also want a spinal with concious sedation so I can avoid the nausea that comes with general. Can this be done?
And I want to begin PT now to prepare liganents for surgery and have the best chance for a solid and quicker recovery. Is there benefit to doing this?
With a two story home and only the support of my husband when he is not at work, I’m second guessing if I am in a position to move forward and do this. 11 years of cronic hip pain and I tried everything!
I appreciate all the tips as intimidating as the whole picture seems.

Thank you for the comments, and for visiting Yoga Hippy! To answer your questions: Total recovery time for this surgery is typically longer than 6 months. In general, any major orthopaedic surgery requires about a year for full recovery. Fortunately for me, I have personal and professional experience in this arena. My own surgery took me 1.5 years from time of surgery to full recovery – with diligent effort and using the support of other colleagues in physical therapy to assist. The good news is, full recovery IS possible – I have wonderful outcomes now and can do so much more than before surgery, as a practicing PT with a busy travel and lecture schedule and a mom to three young sons.
If you are looking to return to teaching preschool in only 8 weeks, I would HIGHLY recommend taking an additional month, or at least arrange for a minimum of 1 hour of daily therapy during your workday, to optimize your prognosis. You would also need to elevate the leg and not remain on it all day – swelling persists through the first few months. However, so long as you are committed to your rehab – you could feasibly successfully return to an adapted work schedule and duties.
So for as anesthetic, that would need to be discussed with your surgeon. Because of the proximal location of the surgery – and because of the delicate nature of what must be done, I would feel most comfortable with a general. The nausea can be well managed with a combination of homeopathic, acupressure, and pharma/meds.
As for PT prior to surgery – the answer is YES! YES! YES! Pre-hab is INCREDIBLY beneficial in all areas. The stronger you are before surgery – the more likely you are to bounce back quicker.
On support – do you have someone who can move in with you for a time? A family member? A friend? You will need assistance in transferring – and stair climbing can be difficult in the beginning. Did you see my blog posts on this yet? Here is one of them: http://www.gingergarner.com/2014/12/04/top-five-must-haves-hip-labral-surgery-plus-2-bonus-tips/
Overall – you have a great potential for a full recovery – never lose hope! You CAN do this! You CAN be better!

My husband is getting the surgery for his labrum in a few weeks. Thank you so much for your blog. I’m trying to getting everything in order for him before his surgery and your blog was very helpful. You talked a lot about using a walker but his doctor told us he could not put any weight on his leg for the first 6 weeks. I was thinking of getting a wheelchair but now i’m second guessing myself. I’m really unsure what to expect the first few weeks and I just want to make sure I am totally prepare seeing that he will be home alone during the day while I work.

Sitting is also limited in the first 6 weeks – some surgeons recommend no more than 30′ of upright sitting per day – which means a wheelchair would not be functional for him and could create adhesions (scar tissue) which would limit his progress. Reclining is ideal – and it’s the ONE time I’d every recommend as a PT to just get in the recliner and “chill” 😉 – but in this case – it really is the best position to avoid complications. Just makes sure he follows recommendations for avoiding blood clots – and that he gets early intervention PT for passive ROM for his hip – that’s supported in the literature to reduce post surgical adhesions. Hope this helps!

I am about to do the surgery in 3 weeks. I was wondering which crutches are the best to buy. I can’t find the Mobileg Ultra crutches in Australia. I am wondering whether it is best to have the forearm crutches or the underarm ones. I have FAI and doing a hip arthroscopy to fix my laberal tear.

First, best wishes and prayers for your successful surgery and rehabilitation! Second, I’m glad you found my site, and am happy you’ve found the content helpful. Finally, forearm crutches, the ones that take the pressure off the brachial plexus and soft tissue under the arm, are optimal. The underarm ones are not fit for using longterm – and with FAI and a repair – you may be on them for up to 8 weeks. Hope this helps!

I have just come across your page and have found it useful. I am 2 days out of surgery and finding it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel . This is my second arthroscopy for a torn labrum same hip. The first time the surgeon only debrided the labrum. This time around (3 years later) a different surgeon has found a new tear which he has repaired rather than shaved off and I also had a cam impingement so he shaved my hip bone down. It is a lot more painful this time around is this normal do you know?! I am finding it so frustrating hardly being able to move and need so much more help with movement (getting in and out of bed ) I am a little worried as I only have 13 weeks to recover before a big holiday to Vietnam which will involve a fair bit of walking around ( not on a trekking level just leisurely sight seeing) bad timing right?! Do you think 13 weeks is an achievable amount of time to recover and not ruin my op?! I am only 34 so fairly young.

I am glad you found my page – sorry for the delay in response! I have to balance my time between teaching and moderating sites and blogs. So, to answer your question, this post may help: http://www.gingergarner.com/2015/02/12/hip-labral-qa-long-recovery-take-surgery/
To give you an individualized answer based on a personal story: I was in my 40’s when I had my repair – and I had to teach in NYC a mere 12 weeks after surgery. Did I successfully navigate the flights and all the walking required when traveling and visiting Manhattan? Yes, I did. Was I ready for full speed walking more than about 1 mile at a time. No. But, was a I aware of my limitations, neuromuscular patterning and weaknesses (as well as poor endurance), and altered gait pattern? Yes, I was – and I honored those limitations and took it easy. That meant short walks with breaks, focused concentration on my gait pattern, and lots of rest. Did I make it through? Yes, I did. And was the trip hurtful to my recovery? No, it wasn’t. By knowing my limits and respecting them – the trip was therapeutic on many levels, physically, socially, spiritually. And, I also taught for 16 hours over 2 days – alternating between standing, sitting, and demonstrating (what I could) yoga postures. My overall message to you – you CAN do it – but please work with your therapist to honestly uncover exactly what your weaknesses and endurance issues will be – and make alternate plans – more rest, less walking when needed – including using the trip as an opportunity to perform functional physical therapy/rehab, where the “rubber meets the road!” Good luck! And thank you for stopping in! Best, Dr. G

Thank you for responding your advice has been very helpful. I am from uk so things are done slightly different here but I am ensuring I have the correct physiotherapy. I am feeling more positive 2 weeks on and am completely focused on getting to the best level
Of health/fitness my hip can be before I go away! I have been religious with my exercises so far and will continue to do so!
Thank you once again for taking the time to reply

Hi
I am trying to help my friend,
It is thought that she has a torn hip labrum/ , she is waiting for a MRI to be done.
You say that you had brace?
was it this sort of brace ( please click in link below! or copy and paste)

Braces won’t necessarily help prior to surgical repair, they are mostly used to limit range of motion and unintentional damage after repair – as well as to protect the hip during healing from things like loss of balance or a fall. That said, if the brace you linked to, which looks soft sided in nature and not a brace with an interior solid skeleton (usually made from lightweight metal), does provide a sense of support – it COULD be helpful. And, in the case of pain management – it is worth a try.

Good luck to your friend, and thank you again for your comments and questions!

I recently went under a second hip surgery within a year; first one failed and the 2nd resulted in reconstruction of the labrum (autograft) and cam/pincer impingement repair which in all reality, they could’ve done a THR. While I agree with most of it, I didn’t need the elevated toilet, someone to wait on me hand and foot 24-7 for weeks on end. I did premade dinners and froze them so others in my house could eat. I have two very active kids in traveling hockey in which both my husband and I coach. Getting out and about was imperative to my recovery both mentally and physically. My PT and MD both agreed that getting up was extremely important and to not lay myself up in the chair. They did push the ice machine and CPM which were amazing. My therapy started immediately but also included me doing work around the house…simple things that didn’t require much movement; wiping the counters off, that type of thing. My kids and husband could manage a vacuum and broom just fine. I am a very active and independent person with an active and physical job so I guess for me, that made all of the difference. I also do not like help…I cringe at the thought of it. To each is to their own and everyone has different needs but I have also known many people who have had this surgery and didn’t expect or require the 24-7 care for weeks on end.

Yes, everyone is different and require(s) or prefers different levels of care. For some – they need little to none. And yet for others, depending on their personal or environmental circumstances, or other medical history, they may need more, lots more. What is important is that we make sure we err on the side of caution and have enough help, vice having regret and either reinjuring or having a relapse. Also, we want to have enough social support for the other, sometimes more difficult aspect of recovery – meeting emotional, energetic, and spiritual needs. Best of luck in your recovery, and I wish you well.

Hello Ginger! I am getting surgery on Monday and came across your site while debating which ice machine to go with – game ready, polar care, or neither. I am leaning towards the game ready because, although it’ll cost me an arm and a leg, I have heard such great things. My question is about the icing process though…I am supposed to have my brace on for the majority of my recovery and the game ready comes with a hip compression sleeve (obviously). Do I put that on under my brace then leave it there all day (other than when going to the bathroom)? I’m just trying to figure out logistically how all of this works! Thanks!

Icing recommendations are 20′ (approximately) every hour to avoid cold injury and allow for cyclical norms of vasoconstriction (during icing) and vasodilation (on removal of ice). The compression doesn’t need to stay on except when icing, or unless it can be utilized to control excessive edema (swelling). So far as ice machines – the Game Ready (I have no financial connection to this company) works wonderfully – and pro athletes use it. I would highly recommend it for recovery. Hope this helps and best of luck on your surgery!

I’m getting my surgery early next month. It’ll include osteoplasty, debridement and some suture. My biggest question is… how do I get into the car right after the surgery if I’m not allowed to be sitting deeply in the seat, or flexed at 90 degrees? I have a driver, I’m just not sure. I’m also wondering how long did it take you to feel you had full range of motion again (my gait is off when bending my leg and turn my knee inwards). I’m a little younger than you when you had surgery, but I honestly don’t feel being 30-something makes a difference. I was told I have small hips. Also curious what exercises your physical therapy consisted of in the beginning and throughout. The doctor said I’d be going to PT for about 6 weeks, after 2 weeks of small movements he’d give me at home. For those beginning 2 weeks, how did you physically lay around? I have reclining chairs, but they are absolutely ones I’d end up sinking into. I’m trying to figure to figure it out… Netflix, go. Also, wondering how long you had to wait until you could sleep on your side again – even on the side of the unaffected leg. I asked about a CPM machine, but they said it wasn’t necessary, and honestly, I don’t have the extra money for it right now. They did mention the brace. How long did you have to wait until you could get a shower? I have a shower seat, but that will probably be a challenge, either way. I’ve had surgery before… I know slow and steady is the best way to go, usually. I haven’t really worked out in a year, and don’t plan to “just start running” again 3 or 4 months into healing because my body is just used to walking. Not sure how much reinjury is patient fault, or just surgery failing, but I cannot afford to reinjure myself by rushing through things. Thanks for the blog, and thank you for answering all our questions! I know I just asked a lot, but any answers you have will be so helpful. It’s so hard going through this when you have no one else who has already gone through it in your life.

First, I am sorry you are facing surgery – but, the good news is, you have every reason to emerge better than ever! Second, thank you for stopping in to read – I’m glad you found my blog, and hope you have found it helpful. To answer your question – car riding status post surgery really requires riding in a reclined seat. 90 degrees would be likely not possible anyhow, due to pain. But with the movement restrictions, it is contraindicated. Recline the seat as much as is possible given still being able to safely wear a seat belt – and you should do fine. In fact, that’s how I transferred home from the hospital after surgery, and I had an almost 3 hour drive!

Finally, a shower will probably require a several day wait – so I wouldn’t rush it. You want the incisions to remain clean and dry – so the sutures and wound healing aren’t compromised. Sleeping on your side – that’s also contained in my blogs. It takes quite a bit of time due to movement restrictions and just plain discomfort and recovery (like edema control). And the brace – I highly recommend it – for safe movement and, in my case, for preventing reinjury due to falls. Case in point – I fell at least twice – both times on the stairs too – from my childrens’ toys. The brace saved the surgery both times, and also prevented a great deal of pain due to unwanted movement I was incapable of at the time.

Thank you, Ginger! I should have asked this before… I did read into your other blogs (thank you for pointing them out – I’ve now read them all!), but was wondering when you started driving again. I live really far from everything and everyone (30 mins +), and yep… someone will be driving me to PT. I’m getting my right hip done, too. I’m really still trying to imagine showering, even with a shower stool if I can’t flex past the 90 degree point (and not sure when I’ll even be able to get near there yet). It’s interesting you mention edema. Prior to finding out I had the tear, I had injections near both my iliopsoas and greater trochanter / ITB area for edema (with no relief longer than a day or two), also did PT during that time, but my quality of life has been pretty awful with this. Last two months have been lower back pain with this issue, too. I have no idea how the lower back pain came about, but this hip issue has been going on for almost a year, so I’m guessing it’s associated with the tear, too. One thing goes, the rest follows. I’m going to be super careful I don’t hurt the left side of my body! Especially with the crutches, and I hear you on tripping over things on the floor. You look like you’re in really good shape from your photos… I used to be in what I’d consider decent shape, working out 5days/week at least, but because of this, and because of ankle surgery also a year ago, I haven’t been able to do my normal work outs for over a year without pain, just walking. I’m interested to see if I will ever get back to them… I know I’m relatively young, and doctors think I should be able to do some light jogging by 3 months (I am laughing and rolling my eyes because it’s been so long without *any* of that type of activity in my life). They also suggested maybe the elliptical, but I’m short, so I’m not sure how that would feel. I wish I had a PT around that I felt really confident about. Thank you so much for your responses! They’re a huge help to me and the people who will be taking care of me. I look forward to keep reading your blogs! I also loved that you wrote about yoga and the hips, which I plan on reading more of. I like the relaxing aspect of yoga, but I feel weird stretching certain things too much/often, or too far without knowing what they’re doing long-term, that’s why I’ve stuck to the walking.

Thank you for sharing your story, and for taking the time to comment. I am so glad my blog has been of help to you – and to answer your questions:

First, I refrained from driving until I felt I had the reaction time necessary in my hip, as well as the strength, to feel safe. A task that would correlate to that would be balance – can you walk over uneven terrain (or flat, even terrain even) and recover your balance and not fall? If you cannot, then likely your reaction time is not fast enough to be able to drive safely. I like to err on the side of caution – especially when I had to return to driving my 3 children – I would never put them in harm’s way – and so I must treat myself the same. I also deferred driving for longer than usual because my injury was more chronic – and I was more debilitated before surgery thanks to being postpartum. This meant I needed more time than perhaps the average person – and being an older surgical candidate too – to recover. It also meant the deficits that lingered from the pre surgical state were still there – like psoas tone and spams, both of which can hinder recovery and impinge the newly repaired labrum. Allow someone else to drive you for as long as possible.

Second, don’t allow anyone to give you a timeline of when/how you should return to activity. Your body is smarter than they are – listen to it. A good PT will be a partner with you in your rehab and recovery – and a good surgeon should know that not everyone, especially older patients and postpartum women, will recover in 3 months NOR is it even a good idea for everyone to return to high impact activity such as jogging!

Lastly, the elliptical – machines like that were typically calibrated for men, not small women. This means you end up overextending the hip and overreaching through the arms – which is not a good recovery recipe. I would avoid the elliptical and focus on functional activities that will get you back to the things you enjoy. One more thing – your rehab program should be individualized to you and your needs and likes. If you don’t enjoy treadmill walking – don’t force yourself to do it, for example. Not only is treadmill walking not functional (it doesn’t correlate with actual walking and sometimes the gait pattern can hinder good walking technique and progress) – but if you don’t enjoy it – then it’s working against your own well-being. Find activities you enjoy and the are reasonable for recovery and longevity – and your PT should help prescribe them individually for your needs.

Hello from the UK. I had a labral tear repair and something else relating to impingement/bones (will find out more at my follow up appointment) yesterday afternoon. I had a brilliant surgeon, but the nursing/PT advice prior to discharge very limited. I had CPM post op and overnight, which was then removed when they discharged me. I’m in a lot of pain now and your post has helped me a lot; I’ve ordered ice bags, wedge pillow and best advice of all at the minute … a raised toilet seat (ouch … Those last few inches!). I was fine when I got up this morning and felt the stiffness (and pain) was helped to the CPM. After a few hours I am in a lot of pain with any movement, and so I have hired a CPM machine which arrives tomorrow. My question is: how much do I use this machine. I had it on all afternoon and through the night whilst in hospital, but presumedly that is just immediately post-op? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you for your comment and excellent questions. I am sorry for the delay in response however I have been out of the country teaching a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, where access to the internet was extremely limited.

To answer your questions, first I need to ask you a few:
1. Are you getting any post-operative PT?
2. Are you using the CPM machine you ordered, and if so, how much each day? Some post-op recommendations are to wear the CPM 6 hours daily, especially if access to PT is limited.
3. How long do you have the CPM? The CPM is typically prescribed for about 3-4 weeks after surgery.

I recommend taking advantage of the passive motion that the CPM offers, especially is the psoas (a hip flexor) is inflamed, irritated, overfiring, or recruited at rest. Sometimes the upright bike with no resistance (one that can be powered by the arms to assist the legs is even better) is recommended, however, when the hip flexor is incredibly irritated, the bike can sometimes increase risk of pain and irritation to the repaired anterior labrum.

I hope this helps – and please don’t hesitate to ask further questions!
Best of luck, you CAN do it!

I can’t thank you enough for this post!!! I’m having labral tear surgery and debridement in two day’s time and the condo not not prepped. I’m getting as much on this list as possible. Do you have any suggestions for those who have limited people to come and help? My fiance is taking off the day of my surgery. My future in law will be there for two days and I’ll have some church friends and other friends stop by with food. The surgery is this Thursday and by the following Monday, I’ll be home alone for 3 weeks. My girlfriend who is home during the day offered for me to move in with her and she would cook for me (the offer was a blessing in and of itself), but I want to be with future husband. We’re getting married in Sept, so I still need to do wedding planning while laid up…

Best of luck to you on your surgery, I suppose today is your BIG DAY! Suggestions for support – do you have a meal sign-up at your church for you? If not, I would ask someone to set that up. You’ll not be able to be up and around cooking, so having healthy meals is perhaps one of the most important things you can do to aid healing and recovery. Second, I would have some easy breakfast and lunch plans in mind – that future husband of yours should be able to help set you up there, yes? 🙂 Also, I wouldn’t lay a bunch of expectations on yourself for the first 12 weeks. The first 3-6 will be challenging – just doing your rehab and getting up and around safely, so please do yourself a favor and postpone wedding planning at least for the first few weeks. Finally, your girlfriend’s offer may be just the ticket to help you through the toughest period, those first 3 or so weeks when you will likely be on lots of medications and maybe even some pain medications. During that time you won’t be able to drive, and even getting up and down requires assistance for many folks, depending on their weight-bearing and surgical precautions, so don’t worry about being away from your future husband if it means you will be well taken care of in his absence. You have the rest of your life to spend with him, and I am SURE he would want you have a full recovery – having a wife with a happy hip is most important here, and you can’t underestimate the hard work that recovery and rehab requires. So take care of yourself, focus on your full recovery – and don’t be afraid to do what it takes to optimize that recovery!

Great information, thank you! I am a side sleeper so know I am going to need some “toys” to help keep my leg stable. You anti rotation pillows are mentioned above. Is that the same as abduction pillows? I want to make sure I get the right thing- any help is appreciated.

Yes, you are correct. Abduction pillow and anti-rotation pillow are rather synonymous. You don’t have to have it but at least make sure you fashion something that will work similarly. Two taped towel rolls work pretty darn well too!

I may be traveling to Baptist Hospital for this procedure, which will be about a two-hour trip. One thing I keep fixating on is how to manage the ride home afterward. In particular, pitstops — on crutches. My husband won’t be able to go into a bathroom with me, of course, to assist. How did you manage??? I’ve been looking at female urinals, like Go Girl, but several of them appear to be used when standing.

Wonderful post! Came across this post after searching the Internet for all the info I can get my hands on after my MRI last week. Labral tear with busistis. Waiting to see a surgeon at the end of next week.
Thank you for the great tips for post op. Thankful my boys are all teens so I shouldn’t need extra help outside of them and my husband. Thank you again!

So glad you found my blog helpful! Good luck with your meeting, and don’t hesitate to reach out through questions or comments on any of my blog posts. I personally respond to each and every one. It’s my mission to make sure everyone gets the highest quality hip labral and impingement care possible!

I can not tell you enough how grateful I am to have found your post. I have my first surgery coming up in October. I need both hips done. The surgeon says my tears are so bad he isn’t even sure he can fix them. I am extremely nervous…and almost hesitate to go ahead with it. I face other challenges, fibromyalgia, adenomyosis, endometriosis, bowel adhesions, so pain is a daily thing for me. I am facing a hysterectomy in the near future as well. As my endo is causing serious issues. I wondered if I could ask you a few questions. Due to all this, i turn and toss, a lot. I move and shift constantly because I have pain when I am immobile for too long. I’ve never been a back sleeper at all either. I guess I’m worried that I won’t be able to sleep on my back as I recover or that I will turn and toss as habit at night and cause damage. Does the pillow you recommend go one the leg of the surgiry side to stop that leg from moving or is it a body pillow type that goes on either side of your body ?

My surgery is just over an hour away from my home . I am quite nervous about the long drive the day of my surgery, since it is a day surgery where I am. We drive a can and I don’t know how I will make it in or out of it and handle an hour long drive back home. Could the drive home be a serious issue you think ?

I am curious about the CPM unit, is that something a Dr would prescribe or perhaps a physiotherapist?

I am trying to go into this well prepared. I have 3 children, my youngest being 8. I am terrible at asking for help but my dear friends are very aware and have been offering lots of support ideas. I am spending the next month getting my kids ready for back to school then a month making freezer meals and preparing my home for surgery and recovery.

I truly appreciate your help and information. I have been sharing this article with friends and family and have read it over numerous times as well. I can’t even express how grateful I am to you. This post has given me clarity and guidance I really needed to be ready !

This is the best compliment I could receive – helping others is the chief reason I blog!

To try to help you with your questions – after your hip surgery, you won’t be able to move around very much due to the hip precautions. It is important that the hip remain “quiet” – especially the hip flexors (the psoas for one), because they will likely run right across the surface of your repaired labrum (if it is an anterior tear). The solution here is not easy because I don’t usually recommend drug dependence. However, you may want to discuss the benefits of muscle relaxers for sleep. This could help with other issues, and it is less concerning than staying on pain medications, which can sometimes mask important cues the body is trying to give in order for your to not reinjure the hip. I would wholeheartedly recommend taking the advise of your surgeon, who will have the best information on which medications may be right in order to help you sleep. There are other options as well, but the most important thing to remember is – you’ll be taking medications to help you sleep, should you and your surgeon decide that is best, only for a short time. After the acute period is over, you’ll be able to use pillows and supports to honor the surgical precautions, and moving around won’t be an issue. The other option is, in addition to discussing medications for sleep and muscle relaxation with your surgeon, is using the CPM unit at night. It keeps your leg moving in a safe range of motion that will help you improve your physical condition for rehabilitation, as well keep your leg in a safe position and relaxed. I did this myself, and it helped tremendously, since you will be stuck on your back for at least 3-4 weeks after surgery (typically). If your insurance company doesn’t cover the CPM, I would highly consider renting it. It isn’t more than about $100 I think, and it is worth it, especially if you cannot get access to early physical therapy. Regardless, it is a painfree help! The anti-rotation pillow is something that I didn’t buy, but I just taped two rolled hand towels towels together to create a little well to secure the leg (for when I wasn’t in the CPM) so it would not rotate in external rotation (which could damage the repair). It’s a cheap and easy solution! To get a visual on it – think about the old supports that used to keep a baby sleeping on its back.

As for the drive home – take the recommended medications and you’ll (very likely) sleep the whole way. I had a 3 hour drive home, and I slept with no problem, propped up the leg securely and reclined the whole way. Surgery is exhausting, and your body will welcome the sleep.

Yes, please do ask for help. I have 3 children as well and my youngest was 3 at the time. It is not easy, but do ask for help and it will be made tolerable. My in-laws moved in with us for the better part of a month and helped get meals, house management, school runs, and took me to therapy sessions. It was a Godsend, and I highly recommend asking for TOO much help, rather than too little.

I hope this helps you – you are on your way to a successfully surgery already with your proactivity and advanced planning.
Don’t hesitate to ask more questions. I answer every post personally!

Thank you so much for your reply. It really does help ! I have been testing my seats out in our van to find the most comfortable way to come home. I have never ever been a car sleeper, so hopefully this time around I can. It would make the drive go by faster .

I unfortunately don’t stomach pain medication well, at all. Never have, muscle relaxants either. So that is making me a little more nervous as well. I read good things about my surgeons ability. But he is very difficult to talk to and get questions by. I’m hoping to try his receptionist she was very helpful with the pre op paper work.

He hasn’t recommended a CPM machine so far and rentals in Canada are expensive. I’m hoping he can prescribe it so my insurance company will be able to help . If he feels I need it. I need to finish my prep and make my calls.

I love the idea of the paper towels and will definitely try that. I’m very blessed with parents who are really supportive. I admire your time and effort in sharing your information and helping. It can be very isolating and scary going into something like this , but so much harder when there isn’t anyone you can talk to who can understand. Keep doing what hour doing I can tell you it is a huge help !

You are most welcome, and do please ask your surgeon about some alternatives to pain medications and/or muscle relaxants. That will be important. I would ask for a CPM prescription so your insurance may cover it. That would be ideal. Ours are not expensive to rent in the US, and our insurance companies don’t tend to cover them. So do inquire and see what can be worked out there.

And you can use hand towels, rolled and taped, for the abduction pillow. Of course, rolls of paper towels would probably work too, but they may not be quite as resilient or sturdy.

Best of luck to you and I am so glad you are getting a good plan in place!

This is great advise. I have had both hips done and one done twice because of seveare bone growth that came back. Both labrum were also tore over 280 degrees and I had trouble getting a surgeon to preform surgery it took 6 years to find someone because of back issues. You said it when you said therapy and you have to work hard and don’t let the therapist push you at two weeks to start putting more wight on it because it seems like they do and don’t get cocky and do stuff to soon and set yourself back because you want to drive yourself because you can hurt yourself getting out of the car been there done that. Good luck to everyone that needs this done and if you have trouble don’t give up it will help it’s not a pain free solution because I still have a little pain in certain positions but it’s better than a stainless steel hip.

I am glad you are doing well – and I appreciate your uplifting comments for other readers. The surgery can be incredibly helpful with the teamwork of a good surgeon, PT, and patient!
Keep up the good work in rehab (because rehab never ends)! 😉

Thanks for all the great helpful tips! I am one week post op right hip anterior labral tear with femoralacetabular impingement surgery!!!!!!! The toilet extension and shower chair are extremely helpful!!!

I have to say, recovery really does vary from person to person. I read this post prior to my own hip arthroscopy, and I was a little alarmed. OK, a LOT. In reality, I bounced back very quickly. I didn’t need so much as a single Tylenol for pain afterwards. Crutches for 4 weeks was a hassle, but it didn’t stop me from (carefully!) living my life. I started WFH just a couple of days after surgery (saving the commute gave me time for the CPM … all that CPM), and I was back in the office a week later. I didn’t need help going to the bathroom (even on day 1), and we certainly didn’t bring in live-in help for a month or anything like that. I prepared for the procedure like I was training for an event, and I’ve approached my PT with the same mindset. Again, I think every patient is different, which I’m sure you know from your work. And believe me, I don’t take it for granted; I’m grateful for the smooth path I’ve faced thus far.

Thanks for stopping in to read and also take the time to comment, most appreciated! Yes, you are right there are a WIDE range of recovery times. Recovery is dictated by several variables: 1. Type of surgery – Labral repair, debridement, reconstruction, arthroplasty (type and location can widely vary)
2. Condition of joint at time of surgery – the worse the joint, the more prolonged the recovery and the worse the prognosis
3. Pre-hab – Some folks come into the surgery very debilitated due to etiology of injury. Let’s take the example of a postpartum mother who experienced the injury via birth. You can imagine how debilitated she would be coming into surgery – and there’s only so much pre-hab that can be done when she has a major pelvic/hip disability. And that is if she is lucky enough to even get pre-hab (most folks don’t get it.)
4. Quality of surgery
5. Quality of rehab and early intervention – PT should start immediately. Most people don’t get that luxury. Most folks also don’t get the luxury of having a PT who specializes in pelvic and hip health.
6. Age of person – Protocols are written for young, fit, and relatively uninjured (otherwise) individuals. That doesn’t address the majority of the America population.
7. Lifestyle choices of person – You are what you eat. Nutrition matters a GREAT deal. Junk in, junk out. Inflammation levels will greatly influence recovery.
8. Support system – Example – A mother of three children who is freshly postpartum is going to have a hell of a harder time recovering, than say, a single 20-something year old who had no other injuries prior to the hip one.
9 – Comorbidities – Some patients have compounding injuries and disabilities that make it harder to recover, for example – pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia, ACL tear or repair, continence issues, SIJ or low back pain, sports hernias (and other hernias as well), just to name a few.
This list is not comprehensive but it gives you a start on how many variables can complicate the recovery post repair.
Hope this helps, and thanks again for sharing!

Thank you very much! What a great summary. I think it’s helpful for folks to understand this. I would guess that availability of good health insurance is also an important factor — albeit one that feeds a few of these other items. From my perspective, on one hand, I’m 47 y.o., work extremely F-T, have 2 kiddos (though NOT toddlers!), and my labrum and bones required quite a bit of work. On the other, I’m in great health, I have good health insurance, my hip joint is otherwise quite healthy, I did lots of “pre-hab” (love that), and I live in a major urban area with access to excellent doctors, PT resources, and fresh, healthy foods. (I hit the farmer’s market and pre-made and froze smoothies full of anti-inflammatory foods prior to my surgery, knowing that my appetite would probably diminish (it did) absent regular running/cycling/swimming, but understanding that I would need a good source of nutrients.) Thanks again for the info.

Really informative article. Thanks for the tips! I have a quick question. I am having my labrum repaired as well as a acetabuloplasty and a femeroplasty in a couple weeks. How long will it take to be able to go up a full flight of stairs? Our master bedroom is on the 2nd floor but we might set up a bed in our living room. Thanks in advance!

Good news – with assist, you can go up stairs (honoring weight bearing precautions that is, so it will take help from someone else most likely, at least for the first few times) right away! If you aren’t supposed to fire your hip flexor (psoas), which is possible (ask your surgeon), then you may want to set up “shop” downstairs for a bit. With assist, I was able to climb stairs (nonweightbearing and without firing my psoas) as soon as I got home from the hospital.

Hi there — thank you so much for this. I am a 33 year old woman about to undergo hip arthroscopy for a torn (possibly destroyed) labrum, impingement (FAI), as well as to hopefully clean out some bone cysts … so yes, I have mild to moderate osteoarthritis in there as well. I know that is associated with poorer outcomes, but my surgeon feels/hopes that it may buy me time before needing a full hip replacement… hopefully many years.

Please, I don’t need another opinion on whether or not to go through with this! Or a repeat of the statistics of patients with OA and arthroscopy! What I WOULD like, though, is advice on how to stay positive that THIS WILL WORK and keep my nerves at bay.

I believe a healthy lifestyle, including moderate exercise, meditation, and anti-inflammatory nutrition, will go a long ways towards helping your surgery be a success! I agree, we all want to prolong or put off a hip replacement – and I was a much older postpartum of 3 when I had my surgery. So let me say this – if I can get through it – so can you!

If you aren’t familiar with anti-inflammatory lifestyle habits – you can start here: https://gingergarner.com/resources/anti-inflammatory-lifestyle-lifestyle-choices-longevity-immunity/
Nutrition can go a long way – including all those anti-inflammatory super foods – toward minimizing OA and improving your surgical outcomes. Did you know that OA shares the same risk factors as other inflammatory-based disease processes? The *GOOD* news is that if we can manage inflammation – we can improve OA and orthopedic outcomes. I would also read up on the benefits of taking oral turmeric, and I would also consider doing 23 and me (www.23andme.com) and DUTCH testing (www.DUTCHtest.com) – they are super helpful in identifying root causes of energy production, cortisol issues, or liver/detox issues that may contribute to you getting the best outcome possible. i.e. high or low cortisol will impede good surgical outcomes; a mitochondrial issue can impair cellular turnover and energy production, which limits rehab success, and of course everyone wants a liver that works well!.

I hope these suggestions can get you started toward total success with your surgery! No patient is a perfect fit for this kind of surgery – so don’t worry about a little OA. Just do everything you can to minimize OA’s effects and exacerbation – and nutrition, micronutrient and endocrine measures (as mentioned above) are a perfect way to get started!

Thank you so much. My gyn and I had been discussing anti-inflammatory diets in fact! She is also an endocrinologist, so I will run your suggestions by her as well. Can you remind me, please, what field of medicine you are in? Your website is filed with so much info that I forgot that part! Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes….

Great! It sounds like you have a great support system. Functional medicine and nutrition is incredibly important for your recovery. I would discuss the options with your doc, she sounds like she is a wonderful practitioner. I am in integrative and functional medicine with my doctorate in physical therapy. That’s my background for the last 20 years or so.

Reading this was helpful, but I haven’t read anything that has me feeling like I can realistically manage this. I’m a single mom with a petite 14yo daughter. I work full time with people with developmental disabilities. I have a 2-story home, with laundry in the basement. And zero support resources. I have co-Morbid EDS and psoriatic arthritis. My insurance also caps PT at 20 visits a year. Do you have any tips towards making this feasible so I can be in less pain and have a functional hip again?

Well, the first thing I was say Sorah is check with your surgeon on recovery precautions. Will you be limited with weight bearing, sitting, or other activities? If so, then some support will be needed. If not, you may be able to recruit friends and neighbors to help you freeze some meals in advance, and if you have stairs, move yourself to a main floor to live for a while if at all possible. With PT capped at 20 visits per year, you are right, that doesn’t get you very far. But I will say this – you can ask questions about your rehab ANYTIME, on this blog. I’ll help as much as I legally and literally can – being that this is just an online platform and I can’t see you as a patient. Also, I plan to share my entire rehabilitation protocol on my blog – so please sign up for my newsletter and you’ll get every new blog that comes out about hip scope rehab. Hopefully this will help – and I also believe that if you reach out to a local hip or pelvic PT – that she will be able to help you fill the gaps where your insurance leaves off. That is what I do for patients in need. I hope this helps – and please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for you input, it was helpful in confirming that this isn’t feasible right now. There are no neighbor or friend options. And my choices wth my house are the floor with the bed or floor with the bathroom. That said, I was told 4 weeks in a brace, an additional 4 on crutches, no driving 2-4 weeks, no flexing beyond 90 degrees.

I think I’m going to put this off until circumstances change and make things more manageable.

Thank you so much for this blog! Such good information. I have recently found out I have a hip labral tear in my left hip. I am 38 years old and have a daughter and am in graduate school. The good news is that I will likely have the surgery at the end of the current semester and then have approximately 6-8 weeks to rest. However, once the 6-8 weeks is over I will have to be walking on campus pretty frequently. Nothing extreme but walks of maybe 1/4- 1/2 mile. Will I be able to do that? I will use a walker this first 8 weeks if I can and then possibly rely on crutches. Hmmmm. Is this feasible?

The 6-8 weeks of rest and recovery will be will spent – also to include a good head start on rehab. If you are foot flat weight bearing restricted for the first 6-8 weeks, it will be hard to immediately return to walking. You will need to wean yourself off of the assistive device gradually. In other words, it isn’t just as simple as throwing down the crutches and magically walking after the 6-8 weeks are up. Generally speaking, you’ll need to wean to 1 crutch, then a quad cane, then a straight cane, before finally walking independently. That can take up to 12 weeks. Fortunately, the short distances are possible if you have a quad or straight cane, and can be good for building up your strength and endurance. You’ll just want to make sure you work with your PT to assure you have a healthy, sustainable gait pattern that will not hinder your surgery’s success. Of course, all of this depends on your weight bearing guidelines – which your surgeon will determine.

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[…] Last but not least, here’s one of my fav blogs I read before surgery that led me toward looking into hip labral tear and hip arthroscopy support groups via Facebook. I absolutely love her must haves and her reference to getting in touch spiritually with yourself: https://gingergarner.com/top-five-must-haves-hip-labral-surgery-plus-2-bonus-tips/ […]

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Meet Dr. G

Hello and welcome to EudeMOMia! I'm Dr. Ginger Garner, a mother of 3 & longtime physical therapist and athletic trainer in women's health. I know what it's like to have to overcome poor health & healthcare, and my goal is to empower & advocate for you to help you move from recovery after birth to discovery of your best self! Learn more...